Version numbers to be banned on HDMI cables

HDMI Licensing, LLC, the group responsible for overseeing the HDMI standard, this week announced specific new requirements for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers regarding the use of version numbers and marketing for HDMI cables.

The biggest surprise was that HDMI version numbers will not allowed in the labeling, packaging, or promotion of any HDMI v1.4 cable.

The group has also mandated a one-year grace period for removing references to earlier versions of the HDMI specification when describing their cables. For products other than cables, version numbers are to be phased out of marketing use by January 1, 2012. Until that time, Adopters can use an HDMI version number only when the Adopter clearly specifies the feature or features associated with that HDMI version number.

Going forward, HDMI Licensing is requiring that every HDMI cable must be clearly marked as one of five HDMI cable types.

Standard HDMI Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60;

High Speed HDMI Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;

Comments

This new system will lead to less customer confusion about what features a particular HDMI cable will support. Hopefully it takes away some of the “smoke & mirrors” that is currently evident in the industry.
HDMI Systems has embraced this change and our website http://www.hdmisystems.com has implimented the new labelling and marketing standards.